U.S. State Department Halts Medical Visas for Gaza Residents Amid Condemnation
U.S. State Department Halts Medical Visas for Gaza Residents Amid Condemnation
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department announced on Saturday a complete suspension of visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, citing the need for a “full and thorough” review. This abrupt policy shift has drawn immediate and widespread condemnation from pro-Palestinian organizations and humanitarian groups.
While acknowledging the recent issuance of a “small number” of temporary medical-humanitarian visas, the department did not provide specific figures. Data analysis indicates that over 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas, allowing foreigners to seek medical treatment in the U.S., had been granted to holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents so far in 2025, including 640 in May alone. These documents are issued to residents of both the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
The decision follows social media claims by far-right activist Laura Loomer, an ally of former President Donald Trump, who alleged that Palestinian “refugees” had entered the U.S. this month. Her statements sparked outrage among some Republican lawmakers, with Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) vowing an inquiry and Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) labeling the situation a “national security risk.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) denounced the move as another instance of “intentional cruelty” by the administration. The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) warned of the devastating impact, stating that the policy would severely impede their decades-long mission to bring critically ill and injured children from Gaza to the United States for life-saving medical care. Gaza continues to grapple with the aftermath of the conflict triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, with local health officials reporting over 61,000 Palestinian casualties since Israel’s subsequent offensive.
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